The Pharoah’s Serpent — Mercury Thiocyanate

Posted by John Farrier in Science & Tech, Video Clips on March 11, 2010 at 9:57 am


(YouTube Link)

The Pharaoh’s Serpent is a traditional pyrotechnic and chemical display in which mercury thiocyanate is set on fire, producing what looks like a very rapidly growing vine. It has since fallen out of favor due to the toxicity of mercury, but sodium bicarbonate produces a similar effect. The video above is a demonstration of this visually stunning chemical reaction.

via Urlesque

 
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